The Associated Press
ZAGREB, Croatia — An inquiry into the deaths of 11 firefighters in Croatia blamed the tragedy on the forces of nature, but said a regional fire chief had failed to react quickly enough for a rescue operation, according to initial findings released Wednesday.
The firefighters were among 13 professionals and volunteers sent to Kornat island on Aug. 30, where fast-shifting winds suddenly fanned a wildfire in a different direction, leaving the men trapped by the flames.
The report also said lead firefighter Dino Klaric, one of the 11 victims, made a wrong assessment in guiding the group into a ravine, where the fire quickly grew without warning.
Six of the firefighters died at the scene, and five died later of injuries. Two remain in critical condition. The victims included two 17-year-olds.
The inquiry found that regional firefighting chief Drazen Slavica failed to react on time to the incident, delaying the men’s rescue. It also criticized him for sending the two teenage volunteers. Slavica has been detained on suspicion of endangering lives, but has not been charged with any crime.
“It was a combination of unfortunate circumstances,” Croatian police chief Marijan Benko said after presenting the inquiry’s findings to government officials.
A 20-year-old local man has been detained since the incident on suspicion of causing the fire by throwing a cigarette butt, state prosecutor Mladen Bajic said.
The investigation said the 13 were likely victims of a fast-moving “eruptive fire,” police expert Andro Vrdoljak said. “The fire passed over them at such a huge speed that they could not retreat or escape from it.”
Vrdoljak said the flames had been spreading at 70 kph (44 mph) in the dry ravine — about 20 times faster than outside of it.
Klaric had instructed the group to use the ravine as a short cut to reach a water tank left a distance away, the inquiry found.